Transportation & the Construction Industry

posted in: Construction Chat 0

Planning and transportation of materials, tools, and equipment is an important aspect of completing any construction job on time. Construction projects have many moving parts and managing all of these different elements is crucial to the success of any project, so you have to have to make sure you have a logistics plan in place in order for the project to run as smoothly as it possibly can and within the budget of course. We do not often think or realize how important this aspect of the project is.

Depending on where the site is will ultimately decide how the materials will be transported as well as what is being transported. The most common mode of transportation are trucks and flatbed trucks and trailers.

When the site is ready and all the materials and equipment have arrived, the transportation of construction material on site begins.

Examples of construction equipment on a site:

1. Boom Lift – a type of aerial platform used to get workers off the ground to work on an elevated project.
2. Scissor Lift – Similar to a boom lift, scissor lifts are aerial work platforms used to elevate workers.
3. Forklift – If materials need to be transported a short distance, forklift equipment can be used.
4. Telehandler – used for jobs where a forklift is inadequate. It’s more heavy-duty than a forklift and can access much higher areas as well.
5. Bulldozer – is used to push, carry and condense any sort of loose material on site.

6. Skid Steer Loader – a skid loader can host different equipment and is also small enough to maneuver into tight areas of a site.
7. Excavator – An excavator is a heavy piece of machinery used to dig and crush material on a site.
8. Off-Highway Truck – The off-highway truck is specifically made for rugged environments. This heavy-duty dump truck has massive wheels with deep treads, allowing it to venture off-road and support construction and mining sites. It’s primarily used to transport materials like rocks or dirt from one site to another. Some models use multi-axle dump buckets to support even heavier loads.
9. Carry Deck Crane – A carry deck crane is a small, mobile crane system.
10. Articulated Hauler – As with an articulated truck, an articulated hauler has a pivot joint in its build, giving it increased mobility. Because of this joint, it can carry massive loads around tight turns, making it ideal for most structural builds. This dump truck has a control hub where the driver sits and a material pail where loads go to be transported. Almost all articulated haulers are four-wheel drive, giving them access to most sites regardless of condition.

Sources:
Construction Business Owner
The Boss Magazine
Big Rentx


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My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

Featured Project: Hilton Siding

posted in: Featured Project 2

KZN

Description
Construction of the Hilton Siding convenience centre in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal. The centre will have 75 parking bays, a GLA of 3 800m² and will be situated along Hilton Avenue, adjacent to the railway station. Approximate GPS Coordinates: -29.551893, 30.300368.

 

Status Region
Awarded Hilton
Category Value
Building R 31 Million – R 60 Million
Industry Timing
Retail April / May 2021 – March / April 2022 (11 months)
Sector Class
Private Owner / Builder


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My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

Abandoned Construction Projects in Africa

posted in: Construction Chat 0

An abandoned construction project can be defined as a project which has been 1) totally abandoned, or 2) indefinitely delayed. Abandonment may happen at any stage of a project life-cycle and incur a significant amount of loss.

There are various reasons why construction projects are abandoned:

  • Inadequate planning
  • Inadequate finance
  • Inflation
  • Bankruptcy of Contractor
  • Variation of project scope
  • Political factor
  • Delaying in payment
  • Incompetent project manager
  • Wrong estimate
  • Faulty design
  • Inadequate cost control
  • Change of priority
  • Unqualified/inexperience Consultants
  • Administrative/legal action
  • Disputes
  • Natural Disasters

The effects of construction projects are mainly:

  • Unemployment
  • Bad image for government
  • Government sector underdevelopment
  • Slow economic growth
  • Financial institutions lose confidence in the state
  • Discourages investment
  • Loss of revenue by state

Here are a few construction projects that have been abandoned and the reasons:

1. The Ghana-STX Building Project, a $10 billion housing project – The project was supposed to lead to the construction of 200,000 houses in Ghana for over 5 years. From research findings, causes of failure of the project were due mostly to disunity, lack of effective governance and project control. Corruption was also a feature.

2.  Mususu Kalenga Building in Zambia – The structure was built at a cost of K400 million by the Zambia State Insurance Corporation and sold to Royal Lutanda Company Limited at K800 million in 2000. The 11-storey building has remained abandoned for over 25 years. There is no indication as to why it was never completed.


3.    900-1000MW Coal Power Plant at Lamu in Lamu County, Kenya – Kenya’s National Environment Tribunal revoked the license granted to the Power Company to build a coal power plant, due to the companies failure to do a thorough environment and social impact assessment (ESIA) that met the requirements of the law.

4.    Construction of a 20,000 seat capacity stadium in Mongu District in Zambia – The government abandoned its plans for the Mongu Stadium most likely due to lack of funding.

5.    Grand Police Bay Hotel, Seychelles – There was a lot of backlash regarding this project and the government decided to not proceed with its plans.

6.    Al-Noor Tower, Casablanca, Morocco – The 540m high skyscraper was to include a luxury hotel,  offices, apartments, an art gallery and a luxury arcade of shops. The client, Middle East Development LLC decided to not proceed with the development stating that a tower if this size was not an appropriate project for Morocco at the moment.

7.    Hope City – A mixed-use development in Ghana – With a downturn in the economy, relocation of the project, and erratic power supply, work on the project never got underway. RLG Communications, the Ghanaian tech company which was supposed to be spearheading the project was itself caught up in various scandals. To date, nothing further has happened with this development.

8.    Pinewood Uranium Project, Tanzania – Kibo Mining (AIM: KIBO; AltX: KBO) announced on 24th February 2017 that it will cease activities at its Pinewood and Morogoro uranium coal and gold projects with immediate effect. The reason behind this strategic choice is in that both Metal Tiger and Kibo Mining have experienced considerable success in other projects of their business portfolio and this has led to these interests becoming the absolute focus of each company.

9.    Construction of sewers, roads and infrastructural services for 360 plots in Kazungula Village and at Nnyungwe area in Kasane, Botswana – Government mysteriously abandons the P80 Million tender as works near completion and this sparks corruption rumours.

Sources:
Research Gate – Abandoned
Research Gate – Government
PM World Library
The Gazette
L2B


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About Nadia Milln

My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

Featured Project: The Cedar – Building

posted in: Featured Project 4

The Cedar – Building (Western Cape)

Description
Construction of 15 apartments and 3 exclusive penthouse apartments for The Cedar development which will be a 5-storey building at 6 Firdale Avenue, Gardens, Cape Town in the Western Cape. The development will consist of 13 one-bedroom apartments (40m² – 59m² including a terrace); 2 two-bedroom apartments; (62m² including a terrace); 3 two-bedroom penthouses (152m² – 206m² each including a terrace and roof-deck). Estimated GPS Coordinates: -33.935708, 18.402804

 

Status Region
Awarded Cape Town
Category Value
Building R61 Million – R100 Million
Industry Timing
Residential April 2020 onwards. TBC
Sector Class
Private Negotiated


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My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

Featured Project: The Rubik – Building

posted in: Featured Project 0

The Rubik – Building(Western Cape)

Description
Construction of the proposed 27-storey mixed-use development known as The Rubik, situated at 19 Loop Street in Cape Town, Western Cape. The development will consist of luxurious penthouses, apartments, offices, retail outlets and restaurants. Estimated GPS Coordinates: -33.919247, 18.421625

 

Status Region
Design Cape Town
Category Value
Building R 100 million+
Industry Timing
Retail, Office & Commercial, Residential 2020 onwards
Sector Class
Private Invited / Negotiated


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Why you should safely dispose of Asbestos

posted in: General 0

Firstly… let’s start with understanding what asbestos is. 

Asbestos is a term used to refer to six naturally occurring silicate minerals. All are composed of long and thin fibrous crystals, each fibre is composed of many microscopic ‘fibrils’ that can be released into the atmosphere by abrasion and other processes. Asbestos fibres are naturally resistant to heat, fire, electricity and chemicals and use to be used extensively in the past in products such as insulation, cement and some floor tiles.

Fibrous tremolite asbestos on muscovite

 

Manufacturers and builders began using asbestos for its desirable physical properties. Asbestos use was widespread during the 20th century until public recognition of the health hazards, beginning in the 1970s, of asbestos dust, led to its outlawing by courts and legislatures in mainstream construction and fireproofing in most countries. Despite this, at least 100,000 people a year are thought to die from diseases related to asbestos exposure.

Asbestos is a well-known health hazard and inhalation of the fibres and long term exposure can lead to various lung conditions. Inhaled asbestos fibres aggravate lung tissues, which cause them to scar. There are three primary diseases associated with asbestos exposure:

  • Asbestosis 
  • Lung Cancer 
  • Mesothelioma 

So now that we understand what asbestos is and the health hazards it carries, removing of asbestos safely is extremely important and no short cuts should ever be taken. It is recommended that you use a licenced asbestos removalist to remove asbestos and dispose of it safely. 

If you are removing asbestos yourself you need to take precaution and follow the necessary steps to remove it safely to protect your health and the health of those around you including children. 

Some do’s and don’ts to ensure your family and the people around you are safe. 

Do’s: 

  • Plan your job so you have all the necessary equipment on hand.
  • Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times. 
  • Ensure no electrical wiring or electrical products are in the work area.
  • Prepare your equipment and work area before you start
  • Only wear old clothes under the coveralls. These should be disposed of when the job is completed. 
  • Cover removal area in 200um plastic drop sheets to catch any fibres, dust and debris.
  • Wet the area that contains asbestos using a gentle mist spray of water before commencement. Detergent added to the water helps improve absorption or a mix of 1 part PVA glue to 5 parts water will help bond the material to minimise any dust. 
  • Continue wetting asbestos that is exposed – if you can see it, wet it. 
  • Spray using a spray bottle to wet smaller areas.
  • Low-pressure constant spray mist using a garden hose with a mist nozzle can be used to wet larger areas outdoors such as external walls or fences.
  • Minimise the number of people in the work area.
  • Decontaminate yourself, the work area and equipment when work is completed. 
  • Dont’s:
  • Never create dust
  • Never break asbestos sheeting
  • Never work in windy conditions
  • Never use power tools or equipment that can produce dust
  • Never use brooms or brushes except for sealing if using paint or PVA glue solution
  • Never use high-pressure water spray on any asbestos product including walls, fences and roofing 
  • Never use household vacuum cleaners. Only special H class asbestos vacuum cleaners are used by licensed removalists to collect dry asbestos dust and debris. 

An interesting fact: In 2008, South Africa banned asbestos. The ban prohibits the importation and exportation of asbestos, as well as the use and manufacturing of the mineral.

I hope I have educated you a little bit more on asbestos and the dangers of being exposed to it.

 

Sources:
Wikipedia
Flickr
Mayo Clinic
Asbestos
Asbestos Awareness

 


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My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

Featured Project: Khoemacau Copper Project – Botswana

posted in: Featured Project 2

Description
The renamed Khoemacau Project is located in the centre of the Kalahari Copper Belt in North-Western Botswana. The Ghanzi property covers 2 149m² and contains sediment-hosted copper-silver deposits with a demonstrated cumulative tested strike length of 70km. KCM plans to build an underground mine at Khoemacau’s high-grade Zone 5 deposit. The Zone 5 resource contains 100 million tonnes of ore at 2% coppe and 20g/t silver and remains open at depth. The Zone 5 underground mine will be accessed through 3 declines and will use a highly mechanised, low-cost sub-level open stoping mining method. The project’s capital cost is estimated at $350 million, with the underground mine development being the biggest single cost component.

 

Status Region
Awarded Botswana
Category Value
Infrastructure R 100 million+
Industry Timing
Mining 5 years
Sector Class
Private Invited/Negotitated

 

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My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

Featured Project: The Alma, Kenya – Apartments

posted in: Featured Project 0

The Alma, Kenya – Apartments

The Palms

Description
Construction of apartment blocks for The Alma in the heart of the fast growing Ruaka neighbourhood in Kenya. The project features: Day care / nursery; club house; gym. A commercial hub which includes a mini market, restaurant / café, beauty spa, pharmacy, swimming pool, roof-top gardens, children’s playing fields, solar water heating, eco-friendly water recycling plant, borehole and sewer treatment facility and 24 hour security – manned perimeter wall, electric fencing, well-lit driveway and security check points.

 

Status Region
Underway Kenya
Category Value
Building
R 100 million+
Industry Timing
Residential 2016 onwards
Sector Class
Private Invited / Negotiated

 

 

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My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

Featured Project: Maokeng Mall

posted in: Featured Project 2

Maokeng Mall

Karoshoek Solar Valley Development

Description
Construction of phase 1 of the Maokeng Mall in Smaldeel Road in Kroonstad, Free State. The approximate GLA for phase 1 is approximately 13 000m².

 

Status Region
Tender Kroonstad
Category Value
Building
R 100 million+
Industry Timing
Retail 2018 Onwards
Sector Class
Private Negotiated

 

 

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My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

Featured Project: Pretoria Head & Neck Hospital

posted in: Featured Project 1

Pretoria Head & Neck Hospital

Golden Gate Dinosaur Centre

Description
Construction of the proposed new 11 000m² special surgical Pretoria Head and Neck Hospital in Menlyn, Pretoria, Gauteng.

 

Status Region
Awarded Gauteng
Category Value
Building R100 Million+
Industry Timing
Healthcare August 2018 – February 2020 (18 Months)
Sector Class
Private Invited / Negotiated

 

Pretoria Head & Neck Hospital

 

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About Nadia Milln

My journey at Leads 2 Business all started back in September 2014 as a content researcher in the Daily Tenders Africa Department. In March 2018 I was promoted to content researcher in the Private Project department. I am a fun loving, bubbly person and mom to a beautiful baby boy who is the absolute light of my life.

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